Steam delivery and superheater header unit



July 18, 1944.

A. J. WEGMANN 2,353,776 STEAM DELIVERY- AND SUPERHATER HEADER UNIT Filed July 25, 1941 IIIIIIIHI 25 /llll 5 m RW IN VEN TOR.

`a suitable collar 22 and bolts 24. of superheater header unit 25 is shown provided with an inlet connection 2-6 having a liange 28 Patented July 18, 1944 ENT OFFICE Y STEAM DELIVERY AND SUPERHEATEE i HEADER UNIT Adolph J. Wegmann, Flushing, N. Y., assgnor to Dri-Steam Products, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application July 23, 1941, Serial No. 403,692

1 0 claims'.

This invention relates to locomotive boilers and more particularly to a steam delivery and superheater header unit of novel construction and including a steam drying element in a new and improved relationship therein.

One of the objects and features of the present invention is to provide a steam delivery and header unit for a superheater through which steam is adapted to be fed to the superheater tubes in substantially dry condition and through which the flow of steam is controlled.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a superheater header construction having a drier embodied in the inlet chamber thereof to substantially dry the steam prior to its passage through the superheater.

The above and additional objects and features of the invention will become more apparent when the following detailed description and the appended claims are read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View with parts 'broken away of one form of steam delivery and superheater header unit of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along lines 2-2 of Figure 1 and showing in vertical elevation an intake steam and water separator for the dry pipe connection; and

Fig. 2a is a fragmentary view in vertical section of a modified form of superheater header unit.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a domeless type of locomotive boiler I is shown fragmentarily to illustrate .the location and use of my steam delivery and superheater header units and the intake steam and water separator. The steam and water space l2 of the boiler I0 is divided from the smokebox |4 by a re tube plate I6. Thedry pipe I3 which is provided with an intake steam and water separator 2|)y the details of` which will be described hereinafter, is shown mounted on the fire tube plate I6 by One form through which the bolts 24 pass to mount the unit on the plate I6 in communication with the vdry pipe |8.

The steam `delivery and superheater header unit 25 of my invention comprises a unitary housing having an inlet chamber 32 and anoutlet chamber 34. The two chambers are separated by a partition 36 which zig-zags back and lforth as shown in Fig. 1 to provide passagesestablishing communication with ,the alternately: .arranged openings 38 and 39 which, in turn, establish communication with suitable superheater tubes 32'.

'Ihe inlet connection 26 extends into the chamber 32 of the unit 25 and is provided with an elbow 4D which opens upwardly in communication with the'upper part of the chamber. An upwardly extending annular flange 4| is provided in the chamber 32 and spaced between the upwardly extending portion of the elbow 46 and the sidewall 42 of the chamber. The space 43 between the iiange 4| and the wall'42 is provided with a drain connection '44; The space between the elbow 4U and the flange 4| provides a passageway for the downward ilowof steam to the superheater connections 39.

Supported on the upper end 46 of the elbow 40 is an annular disc-like member 48. The member 48 is provided with an upwardly extending peripheral flange 50 within which an annular steam Ibaille 52 is adapted to be held. The meinber 48 and the baffle 52 are adapted to be posi tioned within the chamber 32 through a top opening in the chamber which is provided with a cover 54. When the baille is in position on the member 48 the cover 54 is adapted to engage and hold the baille and the member 48 in position.

The baffle 52 is provided with two series of inclined blades 56 which are formed between 'slots cut into the baille. Steam entering through trained by the'steam in a swirl outwardly and downwardly along the wall 42 and in the direction of thespace 43. In order for the steam to Apass inwardly ofthe flange 4| the steam must 'rst undergo a reversal in the direction of ow .thus reaching the lower part of the chamber 32 for passage through the superheater connections `39 is substantially dry, thereby insuring a supervheated steam of higher temperature.

.The outlet chamber 34 is provided with a throttle valve 60, the lower portion of the cham- Iber being formed with a partition 62 vhaving an .aperture 64 about which a valve seat 66 is pro- Vvided. Thethrottle valve 6U is provided with .theusuallcontrol connections 68 mounted ina cover 'l0 on the upper part ofthe chamber. 34.

The lower portion of the chamber 34 is provided with a steam delivery outlet l2 to which a pipe 14 may be connected.

Referring to Fig. 2a of the drawing, I show another embodiment of the steam delivery and superheater header unit of my invention wherein a compact and different drier construction is used. The header unit comprises a unitary housing similar to the housing of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The housing |25 encloses an inlet chamber |32 and an outlet chamber |34 divided by a partition |36. The housing is provided on opposite sides of the partition with groups of openings to which superheater tubes |31 are adapted to be connected.

The inlet connection |26 to the housing |25 opens directly into the chamber |32. Disposed in the lower portion of the chamber |32 is an annular ilange |40 which extends upwardly in spaced relation to the side wall |42 of the chamber so as to provide an annular trough |43 to which a drain outlet |44 communicates. The upper portion of the annular ilange is provided with a shoulder |48 upon which is mounted an annular baille |48. The baille |48 has numerous small protruding nozzles |49 on the outer surface thereof, similarly as disclosed in the` UnitedI States Patent No. 2,149,626, through which the steam is adapted to be combed in its passage through the chamber |32. A second annular baille |52 1s adapted to be disposed concentrically about and in spaced relation to the baille |48. The lower portion of the baffle |52 is supported by an annular element |53 shaped to rest on and along the bottom of the trough |43, except for a portion |54 adjacent the drain |44 whereby the spaces on both sides of the baille |52 are maintained in communication with the drain.l The housing |275 is provided with an opening having a cover |55 through which the ballles |48 and |52 and the element |53 are installed. The cover |55v when in covering position bears against the upper edges of the bailles |48 and |52.

The baille |52 is provided with a kplurality of slots shaped to form blades |56 therebetween slightly inclined to direct steam obliquely downwardly and circumierentially across and against the protruding nozzles of the baille |48. This oblique flow of steam across the protruding nozzles |49 subjects the steam to a severe brushing and combing action which effectively removes substantially all of the particles ofy Water entrained by the steam. The water thus removed drains into the trough |43 and is removed through the drain |44. The steam passing through the baille |48 enters the vsuperheater connections on the inlet side of the partition |36. After the steam has been subjected to superheating temperatures in the superheater coils it is returned to the outlet chamber |34 and thence to the usual throttle valve, such asshown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing it will be recognized that the superheater header units of my invention are compact, sturdy, economical to build and easy to assemble and install. The units can be used with any suitable superheater and with 4their drier construction insure a delivery 'to the superheater of substantially dry' steam, the oW of-which can be controlled. by the associated throttle valve.

While I havelshown two embodiments-ofthe Stearndelivery and superhf-:ater header u-nit'l recognize that many variations-and different embodiments of the invention are possi-ble. It.- is

Lto -be understood, therefore, 4th'atth'e lforms shown in the figures of the drawing are to be regarded as illustrative only and not in restriction thereof.

I claim:

1. A steam delivery and header unit for a superheater comprising a unitary housing having inlet and outlet chambers, a steam drier in the inlet chamber to remove particles of moisture from the steam prior to the passage of the steam through the superheater, a throttle valve in the outlet chamber to control the flow of steam, a partition between said chambers, connections on opposite sides of said partition for connection thereto of the tubes of the superheater, and a wall disposed in said inlet chamber in association with said drier to provide a passageway for steam on one side thereof and another passageway for particles of water on the other side thereof.

2. A steam delivery and header unit for a superheater comprising a unitary housing having inlet and outlet chambers, a steam drier in the inlet chamber to remove particles of moisture from the steam prior to the passage of the steam through the superheater, a throttle valve in the outlet chamber to control the ilow of steam, a partition between said chambers, tube connections along said partition with alternate connections disposed on opposite sides of the partition, a wall disposed in said inlet chamber in association with said drier to provide a passageway for steam on one side thereof and another passageway for particles of water on the other side thereof, and said drier including an apertured member disposed above said wall toimpart a whirling motion to the steam adjacent said wall.

3. A steam delivery and header unit for a superheater comprising an integral housing having inlet and outlet chambers with a partition therebetween, superheater connections on opposite sides of said partition, an annular flange disposed in said chamber to provide an annular trough adjacent the side walls of said chamber, an annular baille disposed within said chamber and having a plurality of parallelly aligned inclined slots, means to support the ybaffle to cause steam to pass through said slots and means to support a throttle valve in the outlet chamber to control the flow of steam.

4. A steam delivery and header unit for a superheater comprising a housing having inlet and outlet chambers having superheater connections in communication therewith, an inlet connection extending into said inlet chamber, a ilange disposed between said connection and a wall of said inlet chamber to provide a passageway for steam on one side of the llange and a passageway for particles of water on the other side 0f the flange, and a baille adjacent said connection to direct the steam for brushing engagement aganist said wall to separate particles of water from the steam.

5. A steam delivery and header unit for a superheater comprising a housing having inlet and outlet chambers with superheater connections in communication therewith, an inlet connection extending intoV and communicating with the inlet chamber, an annular ange disposed in spaced relation betweeny said inletv connection and the side wall of said inlet chamber, a liquid drain communicating with the space ybetween said flange and said side wall, .and an annular baille having parallelly aligned inclined slots disposed adjacent said inlet connection to direct the lsteam obliquel-y against said side wall.

6. A steam delivery and header unit for a superheater comprising a housing having inlet and outlet chambers with superheater conections in communication therewith, an inlet connection eX- tending into and communicating with the inlet chamber, an annular flange disposed in spaced relation between said inlet connection and the side wall of said inlet chamber, a liquid drain communicating with the space between said ange and said side wall, an annular disc-like element supported on the inlet connection and an annular member supported on said element having a portion slotted and shaped to form blades inclined to direct the steam obliquely against the side wall for swirling movement therealong.

7. A steam delivery and header unit for a superheater comprising a housing having inlet and outlet chambers with superheater connections in communication therewith, means including an annular flange disposed within the inlet chamber and in spaced relation to the side walls thereof, a liquid drain communicating with the space between said flange and said side wall, an annular member having numerous small protruding nozzles, said member being disposed in said chamber above said flange, and an annular balile disposed between the said member and the side wall of said chamber, said baflle having a portion thereof slotted and shaped to form blades inclined to direct steam obliquely against the nozzles contained in the rst mentioned baffle.

8. A steam delivery and header unit for a superheater comprising a housing having inlet and outlet chambers with a partition therebetween, superheater connections on opposite sides of said partition, an annular ange disposed in said chamber with passages on opposite sides thereof, one passage for the flow of steam and the other passage to remove particles of moisture separated from the steam, an annular bale disposed within said chamber and having a plurality of parallelly aligned inclined slots, and means to support the baille to cause steam to pass through said slots and undergo a whirling movement to effect separation of moisture therefrom.

9. A steam delivery and header unit for a superheater comprising a housing having inlet and outlet chambers with superheater connections in communication therewith, an inlet connection extending into said inlet chamber, a ange disposed between said connection and a wall of said inlet chamber to provide a passageway for steam on one side of the liange and a passageway for particles of water on the other side of the ange, and an annular baiile associated with said connection and disposed above said ange to subject the ilowing steam to a whirling movement to separate therefrom any particles of moisture contained therein.

10. A steam delivery and header unit for a superheater comprising a housing having inlet and outlet chambers with superheater connections in communication therewith, means including an annular iiange disposed within the inlet chamber and in spaced relation to the side walls thereof to provide a passageway for steam on one side of the flange and a passageway for particles of water on the other side of the flange, an annular member having numerous small protruding nozzles disposed in said chamber above said flange, and an annular baiiie disposed adjacent the said member and having a portion thereof slotted and shaped to form blades inclined to direct steam obliquely against the nozzles contained in the rst mentioned baiile.

ADOLPH J. WEG-MANN. 

